After a full season in the Motocross World Championship with the Beta factory team, Tom Koch returns to the ADAC MX Masters in 2026, and to the team that gave him his first major successes, the KTM Sarholz Racing Team. He is also taking on the role of rider spokesperson in the ADAC MX Masters for the first time. Speaking in a pre-season interview, “ToKo” reveals the valuable lessons he learned from a difficult season in MXGP, and why he feels stronger than ever.
Welcome back! Firstly, let’s rewind a little: how did the MXGP season go in 2025? Tom Koch: “To be honest, it was very mixed. I pictured it a bit differently to how it actually was. However, a few things happened that meant I simply did not feel 100% happy. And that did not lead to the results I was expecting, and that I know I am capable of.”
What did you gain from the 2025 season? “The last two years were not my brightest: the injury at the start of the season in 2024, then 2025 with the new team, where things did not go so well. The biggest thing I learned from last year is that I now know what I need to feel happy, and how it feels to have that. I learned how it can affect your performance if you don’t feel at home. I think many people do not know that or underestimate it. Or it is simply not so important for some. However, it is a high priority for me, and a lot revolves around it. If I don’t feel good on the bike and something feels wrong in my life, then I cannot expect to perform well. One thing leads to the other. I will call on that experience this year. I am taking a rather more relaxed approach to some things and focussing far more on having fun on the bike and simply enjoying myself. I really struggled with that last year.”
How did the return to the ADAC MX Masters and the cooperation with the KTM Sarholz Racing Team come about? “We know each other from the past, from my title win in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup and the time after that. I have remained in contact, particularly with team principal André Sarholz and my mechanic at the time Gerrit Knipprath, and we just got on well. I always knew that the team did a good job, had good bikes and, above all, I am on extremely good terms with Gerrit, who is now my mechanic again. Gerrit gives it his all, and that was a big factor in my decision, to ensure that I feel comfortable and know what I am getting.”
Were there other offers? “I had a surprisingly large number of offers, and a relatively large amount of interest from German teams. There were a few doors open to me. It was ultimately my gut instinct that led me to choose the Sarholz team. Given the situation I found myself in, I believe I did everything right.”
How does working with a factory team compare to working with a dealership team, as is now the case at Sarholz? “You usually expect there to be a big difference. In my case, I have to give the KTM Sarholz Racing Team a lot of praise, as I have already done an awful lot of testing and tried out many parts, in order to tune the bike to my needs. That is by no means a step down for me compared to last year.”
Apart from switching team, have there been any other changes? “In principle, not a lot has changed compared to 2024. I am living back in my home state of Thuringia, because I feel happiest at home, including away from the world of Motocross. We have a huge amount of training opportunities, and I train with other riders like Paul Haberland and other riders from the KS-Sportsworld training group. Konrad Smolinski is still responsible for my fitness training, and I continue to practice with Marcus Schiffer on the bike, when the opportunity arises.”
There has been one change: your brother Tim has hung up his racing helmet. Does that feel odd? “We already had a cooling down phase (laughs) last year, and did not actually contest a single race together, with the exception of the MXGP event in Teutschenthal. Despite that, I will come to the races with my usual environment, and Timmy will obviously support me where he can. When it comes down to it, you do not have a lot to do with each other in the race, and everyone has their own processes to work through. If he still manages to drop in and support me at a race, I am obviously very pleased.”
You have inherited the role of rider spokesperson from your brother. How did that come about, and what aspects of this role are particularly important? “Once it was clear that Tim would no longer be riding, the ADAC offered me the role and I gladly accepted it. I believe I have a healthy understanding of people and a lot of experience, in order to be able to judge various situations well. It is obviously important to ensure that the tracks are well maintained, that the ground is well prepared in certain places, that it is suitable for the younger classes and the MX Masters class, and that certain things run properly, such as the listing and paperwork for track costs and how critical points on the track are dealt with. You can always judge that a little better from a rider’s perspective than if you are ‘just’ watching from the sidelines.”
How have pre-season preparations gone? “Really smoothly this year. I was able to get my training done, even though the weather, with all the rain and snow, did not exactly provide the really good conditions for anyone. However, you must always make the most out of the situation, and that is what I have done. I used the time and, together with Gerrit, tried out quite a lot of things on the bike, including small details. I also tested various things to do with the chassis with Pepper Motorsport. The bike is now in a very good condition and gives me a lot of confidence that I can ride well on it.”
Since 2020, you have always ended the ADAC MX Masters season in the top three, including three times as runner-up. What ingredient has been missing from a title-winning season so far? “I would say Max Nagl was always in the way. (laughs) A back injury meant I did not get off to a good start in the 2024 championship, and I did not expect to finish runner-up in the end. With points up for grabs in three races per weekend, you lose plenty of points if you are only half fit at the first three events. That is too much to claw back over the rest of the year. I came relatively close in 2023, and the title race went right down to the season finale. I simply came up a bit short. In 2022, I had an injured foot at the start of the season. To win the title, everything has to come together all the time. As far as speed and consistency is concerned, I think I among the front-runners. My starts have held me back a little in recent years. If I can improve them, I see nothing to stop me achieving my goals. I can only do my best, and obviously want to challenge for the title.”
Who will be your strongest opposition? “You always have to look out for Max Nagl. Roan van de Moosdijk will also be good again and will challenge for the title. You cannot underestimate Max Spies either, and Jordi Tixier will be good. It is always hard to predict, but we will ultimately have to wait until the first races to see how everyone fairs, and what surprises there may be.”
